Sizewell C: Work begins on access road to new power station

Work began on Tuesday to remove trees on Goose Hill to make way for the access road, including mature Corsican Pine, Scots Pine and some semi-mature pine trees, none of which are indigenous to Suffolk.

The new station will sit on a six hectare space, or 5% of the Sizewell Marshes Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI), while the remaining 95% is being protected and managed for wildlife.

The works that have taken place have been careful to avoid nesting birds, as well as avoiding badger setts and protecting bats.

Other ecological works have included the creation of a replacement habitat at Aldhurst Farm in 2014, while further compensation habitats will be created at sites near Benhall, Halesworth and Pakenham over the next few years, starting at Benhall.

New access routes have been created to the Sizewell C site (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Meanwhile, archaeological works have been completed at Lower Abbey Farm where a new wetland habitat is being created for wildlife.

A team of 100 archaeologists have been combing the site and have made major finds, including a Roman saltern, prehistoric pottery and the remains of a previously unknown medieval building.

During a visit to see the woodland clearance on Tuesday, Sarah Williamson, civil programme director at Sizewell C, said: "Where we are today, we have prepared the main access works on to the site. It is a significant milestone for the project."

The next stage will be for clearance work to begin on the main site of the nuclear power station, where reeds will be cut back in the coming weeks to deter nesting birds and allow access to the south bank of the SSSI where construction will take place.

The start date for construction is anticipated to be in 2024.